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Because the word aloha, which invokes love, compassion and kindnessis spoken as a greeting and goodbye, it's the perfect way to begin this story. Almost exactly one decade ago Podington Bear (That's me) finished the goal I had set in 2007: to create 3 songs a week and share them via podcast. The End marked the completion of the 156 song marathon and served as the capstone to The Box Set, released in 2008.

Two years later, in 2010, an FMA curator asked to include the song "Wavy Glass" on the newly created Free Music Archive. Looking back, that was the seed that grew into a tree. It grew slowly at first, until 2013 when I decided to open the floodgate and release a few hundred tracks of my fledgling music library Sound of Picture. Today there are 750 Podington Bear tracks on the FMA and they've recieved 12.25 million collected listens and downloads. I never would have guessed it!

So, I just wanted to give a hearty thanks to the staff and community here on The Free Music Archive as I both look back, and step into the future. I decided to retire the name Podington Bear at the close of 2017, but before it goes into indefinite hibernation I thought the 10 year anniversary of The Box Set was a fitting occasion to upload that complete collection here as well. I'll continue posting the remaining albums over the coming weeks.

And while this is goodbye to Podington Bear, it's also hello to me, Chad Crouch. In just a few weeks be posting a new album under my own name that I'm excited to share. Stay tuned, and aloha!

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WFMU and the Free Music Archive are proud to bring you a fresh episode of Radio Free Culture, a weekly podcast exploring issues at the intersection of digital culture and the arts.

In this episode, Cheyenne Hohman, RFC host and current Director of the FMA, spoke to Chad Crouch, aka Podington Bear, about his eight-year legacy of publishing CC BY NC music, and where it's taken him.

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The colors outside are changing, and this collection of driving rock, electronic and experimental pop instrumentals are here to help tell stories of change and progress.

This is a Music for Video collection for tucking away your swimsuit, taking out a fresh pencil, and getting back to work. Click on the artist names to visit their page on the Free Music Archive. Many of them can be contacted there for more permissions, or to simply share a link to your new creations.

1. krackatoa (website, CC BY-NC-SA) - Starting a journey and looking cool doing it. This song title and album art refers to the story of Noah's ark, and the track appropriately evokes sonic waves and a sense of fulfilling one's destiny.

2. Los Amparito (website, CC BY-NC-SA) - The beginning of this song is an echo of chimes (perfect for a bumper), and then stereo dueling guitars take over. You won't get sick of this song no matter how many times you play it.

3. Fields of Ohio (website, CC BY-SA) - Steady driving drums begin this song and lock you in. Then faint voices emerge repeating something that sounds like, "tomorrow." Turn this on when you have homework to begin and want to fall into a productive trance.

4. Peter Gresser (website, CC0) - A funky jam that makes you want to pick up a joystick or leap on a treadmill. Licensed for the public domain via the Open Game Bundle, you can do whatever you'd like with this track including using it in your video games.

6. Thiaz Itch (website, CC BY-NC-SA) - An intriguing flute kicks off this track and tells a story throughout. Many other instruments emerge, including a delightful güiro. This song is part of an album perfect for using in cartoons or animated shorts.

This is Snoop Dog's favorite Music for Video collection, because it's perfect for drizzle.

A mix of mellow, reflective and moody songs, perfect for watching Spring rainstorms outside your window. It's like lying upside down off the edge of your bed thinking about someone far away. Like walking home early in the morning, after sleeping somewhere you shouldn't have, while the streets are still wet. It's a mix that makes you want to throw away all your adderall and start feeling again.